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Linda Nazar

University Professor & Canada Research Chair Solid State Energy Materials

Linda Nazar carries out research in inorganic materials chemistry, solid state chemistry and electrochemistry. Her research is focused on the development of electrochemical energy storage devices and materials.

One of the most interesting aspects of materials chemistry is the design of structures with specific physical properties. Using guided principles, Prof. Nazar’s team synthesizes new materials, determines their structures and investigates their physical properties. She is, in particular, interested in ion and electron transport in materials as these properties are central to solid state electrochemistry and energy storage batteries.

Her group is proficient in a range of methods and fields of investigation including X-ray and neutron diffraction, electrochemistry, ac impedance and solid state inorganic and nanomaterials synthesis.

Linda was recently named an Officer for the Order of Canada in recognition of her excellence in research. She holds the Canada Research Chair in Solid State Energy Materials, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

Expertise

Solid state electrochemistry

Li-ion, Na-ion, Zn-ion and Mg-ion batteries; Li-S and Li-O2 batteries

Nanostructured materials

X-ray and neutron diffraction

Energy storage materials

Research

Linda Nazar’s research focus encompasses complex material synthesis, physical and structural characterization, electrochemical testing and electrode design for various energy storage devices. Promising new directions particularly lie in nanomaterials. They offer the possibility of moving into the realm of high-capacity systems that operate on the basis of intimate contact of the redox active components.

The research employs a range of physical chemistry techniques, including ex-situ and in-situ studies involving X-ray/neutron diffraction, Raman microprobe and NMR spectroscopies, combined with fundamental electrochemical studies used to examine the underlying processes in solids.